JP2007033413A - Analyzer - Google Patents

Abstract

<P>PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide an analyzer capable of reducing limitation in timing for stirring a liquid in a reactor when analyzed, and excellent in transmission efficiency of energy required for the stirring. <P>SOLUTION: This analyzer is provided with a reactor holding means for holding the plurality of reactors, a plurality of stirring means provided to correspond to the plurality of respective reactors, and for stirring the liquids stored in the respective reactors, a plurality of switching means for establishing electric connection to the stirring means to be driven in respective groups when the plurality of stirring means is divided into the plurality of groups, a plurality of stirring driving means connected respectively to the plurality of switching means, and for driving the stirring means connected via the switching means, a control means for controlling the plurality of stirring driving means, and a transfer means for transferring at least the reactor holding means. <P>COPYRIGHT: (C)2007,JPO&INPIT

Description

  The present invention relates to an analyzer for analyzing components of a specimen such as blood or body fluid.

  Conventionally, in an analyzer that automatically and continuously analyzes samples such as blood and body fluids, as a technique for stirring the liquid in the reaction container after dispensing the sample to be analyzed and the reagent to be reacted with the sample, There has been disclosed a technique of stirring a liquid by providing sound wave generation means outside the reaction container and generating sound waves from the sound wave generation means toward the reaction container (see, for example, Patent Document 1). In this technique, constant temperature water that keeps the temperature of the liquid constant is interposed between the reaction vessel and the sound wave generating means, and the stirring of the liquid is performed while the reaction disk that holds the reaction vessel and rotates is stopped. Is called.

Japanese Patent No. 3168886

  As described above, since the conventional analyzer can only stir while the reaction disk is stopped, there is a problem that the timing of stirring in one sequence is limited.

  In addition, since the energy of the sound wave generated by the sound wave generation means attenuates before reaching the reaction vessel that is spatially separated via the constant temperature water, the transmission efficiency of the energy required for stirring is not always good. .

  The present invention has been made in view of the above, and it is possible to reduce the restriction on the timing of stirring the liquid in the reaction vessel at the time of analysis, and to provide an analyzer excellent in the transmission efficiency of energy required for stirring. The purpose is to provide.

  In order to solve the above-described problems and achieve the object, the invention described in claim 1 is an analyzer for analyzing the components of the liquid respectively accommodated in the plurality of reaction vessels, and holds the plurality of reaction vessels. Reaction vessel holding means, a plurality of stirring means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reaction vessels, for stirring the liquid contained in each reaction vessel, and the plurality of stirring means divided into a plurality of groups. A plurality of switching means for establishing electrical connection with the stirring means to be driven in each group at the time, and the stirring connected to each of the plurality of switching means and connected via each switching means A plurality of stirring drive means for driving the means; control means for controlling the plurality of stirring drive means; and transfer means for transferring at least the reaction vessel holding means.

  The liquid in the present invention includes a liquid containing a small amount of a solid component such as blood and body fluid.

  According to a second aspect of the present invention, in the first aspect of the invention, the reaction vessel holding means holds the opening surfaces of the plurality of reaction vessels side by side along one closed curve.

  According to a third aspect of the present invention, in the second aspect of the present invention, the plurality of reaction vessels corresponding to each of the plurality of stirring means belonging to the same group among the plurality of groups are continuously along the closed curve. It is characterized by being arranged in.

  According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, in the third aspect of the present invention, a plurality of stirring positions for stirring the liquid are defined on the closed curve, and stirring belonging to one group among the plurality of stirring means. The number of means is not more than the minimum value +1 of the number of the reaction vessels held between the stirring positions adjacent to each other along the closed curve.

  According to a fifth aspect of the present invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the plurality of stirring drive means should reach either the reaction vessel stationary at any of the plurality of stirring positions or the plurality of stirring positions. The agitation means provided corresponding to the reaction vessel being transferred is driven.

  According to a sixth aspect of the invention, in the fourth aspect of the invention, the number of the plurality of groups is equal to the number of the stirring positions.

  The invention according to claim 7 is the invention according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the absolute value of the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the number of elements constituting each of the plurality of groups is 0 or It is characterized by 1.

  The invention according to claim 8 is the invention according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the stirring means belonging to the same group among the plurality of groups are connected in parallel to the switching means belonging to the group. It is characterized by.

  The invention according to claim 9 is the invention according to claim 8, wherein the switching means is connected to the switching means and any one of the plurality of stirring means connected in parallel to the switching means. The stirring driving means is electrically connected.

  A tenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the invention, the plurality of agitation driving means drive one of the plurality of agitation means based on mutually independent driving conditions.

  According to an eleventh aspect of the present invention, in the tenth aspect of the present invention, the driving condition is at least one of the presence / absence of driving, the driving frequency, the driving amplitude, the driving time, and the modulation condition for modulating the driving frequency or the driving amplitude. Any one of them is included.

  A twelfth aspect of the invention is characterized in that in the invention of the tenth or eleventh aspect, the number of the agitation driving means is equal to or more than the number of the agitation means that are driven simultaneously among the plurality of agitation means.

  A thirteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the first aspect of the invention, the switching means and / or the stirring drive means are transferred in conjunction with the reaction vessel holding means by the transfer means.

  A fourteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that, in the invention according to any one of the first to thirteenth aspects, the stirring means has a sound wave generating means for generating a sound wave or an ultrasonic wave.

  The invention according to claim 15 is the invention according to claim 14, wherein the sound wave generating means is formed integrally with the reaction vessel.

  A sixteenth aspect of the invention is characterized in that in the invention of the fourteenth or fifteenth aspect, the sound wave generating means has a pair of comb-shaped electrodes.

  According to the present invention, reaction container holding means for holding a plurality of reaction containers, and a plurality of stirring means that are provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reaction containers and that stir the liquid contained in each reaction container; A plurality of switching means for establishing electrical connection with the stirring means to be driven in each group when the plurality of stirring means are divided into a plurality of groups, and connected to each of the plurality of switching means. A plurality of stirring drive means for driving the stirring means connected via the switching means, a control means for controlling the plurality of stirring drive means, and a transfer means for transferring at least the reaction vessel holding means. By providing, it is possible to reduce the restriction on the timing of stirring the liquid in the reaction vessel at the time of analysis, and to provide an analyzer excellent in the transmission efficiency of energy required for stirring. That.

  The best mode for carrying out the present invention (hereinafter referred to as an embodiment) will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. FIG. 1 is a diagram schematically showing a configuration of a main part of the analyzer according to the first embodiment of the present invention. The analyzer 1 shown in FIG. 1 dispenses a specimen and a reagent, which are samples to be analyzed, into a reaction container, and optically measures a reaction occurring in the reaction container, and the measurement mechanism 11 includes And a control analysis mechanism 21 that controls the measurement apparatus 11 and analyzes the measurement results in the measurement mechanism 11. The two mechanisms cooperate to biochemically and immunologically analyze the components of a plurality of specimens. Or perform genetic analysis automatically and continuously.

  The measuring mechanism 11 of the analyzer 1 includes a sample transfer unit 12 that stores and sequentially transfers a plurality of racks 32 on which sample containers 31 that store samples such as blood and body fluid are mounted, and two reagents that hold a reagent container 41. A container holding unit 13a and 13b, and a reaction container holding unit 14 for holding a reaction vessel 51 that contains and reacts a specimen and a reagent are provided. Further, the measurement mechanism 11 accommodates the sample accommodated in the sample container 31 on the sample transfer unit 12 in the sample dispensing unit 15 that dispenses the reaction container 51 and the reagent container 41 on the reagent container holding units 13a and 13b. Reagent dispensing units 16a and 16b that dispense the reagent that has been applied to the reaction vessel 51, and a photometry unit 17 that receives the light irradiated from the light source and passed through the reaction vessel 51 to measure the intensity and the like of a predetermined component And a cleaning unit 18 that cleans the reaction vessel 51.

In the case shown in FIG. 1, the sample dispensing position P ₁ by the sample dispensing section 15, the reagent dispensing position P ₂ by the reagent dispensing section 16a, and the reagent dispensing position P ₃ by the reagent dispensing section 16b are sample dispensing. The sample is placed in the reaction container 51 at a position other than the sample dispensing position P ₁ or the reagent dispensing positions P ₂ and P ₃ shown in the drawing, depending on the arrangement positions of the section 15 and the reagent dispensing sections 16a and 16b. And do not dispense reagents. In the following description, it is assumed that the timing of sample dispensing, reagent dispensing, stirring after dispensing, photometry, washing, etc. is common to all analysis items. As a result, in the inspection using the analyzer 1, a constant throughput can be obtained even when various inspection items are inspected.

  The measurement mechanism 11 further includes an agitation mechanism 19 that agitates a liquid contained in the reaction container 51 (including a “liquid” containing a small amount of a solid component such as blood). The stirring mechanism 19 will be described in detail with reference to the drawings after explaining the control analysis mechanism 21.

  The control analysis mechanism 21 controls each function or each means in the analysis apparatus 1 and also performs an operation for analyzing a measurement result in the measurement mechanism 11, and a device control unit 22 realized by a CPU (Central Processing Unit) or the like. The input unit 23 that receives input of information necessary for analyzing the sample and the operation instruction signal of the analyzer 1, the output unit 24 that outputs information including the analysis result, the control program of the analyzer 1 and the analysis result of the analyzer 1 A storage unit 25 that stores the information to be included, and a power supply unit 26 that supplies power to drive each unit of the analyzer 1 are provided.

  Subsequently, the stirring mechanism 19 will be described. FIG. 2 is a diagram schematically showing a physical configuration of the stirring mechanism 19. FIG. 3 is a block diagram showing a functional configuration of the stirring mechanism 19. The stirring mechanism 19 shown in these drawings is sent from a signal transmission unit 191 that transmits a DC power signal sent from the power supply unit 26 and an AC control signal sent from the device control unit 22, and a signal transmission unit 191. A drive control unit 192 that controls the stirring operation and the transfer operation of the reaction vessel holding unit 14 based on the control signal, and a drive for stirring the reaction vessel 51 according to the control signal sent from the drive control unit 192 And a plurality of agitation drive units 193 for transmitting signals.

  Each agitation drive unit 193 is connected to a switching unit 194 that is a switching unit that switches an electrical connection state. The switching unit 194 is a stirring unit that stirs the liquid stored in the reaction vessel 51, and a plurality of sound wave generating units 195 that generate sound waves or ultrasonic waves are connected in parallel. Note that the number of sound wave generation units 195 connected to each switching unit 194 may be the same or different.

  The agitating mechanism 19 has a configuration other than the above, a power supply unit 196 that receives a power signal sent from the signal transmission unit 191, converts it into a voltage value suitable for each part in the agitating mechanism 19, and outputs it, As a transfer means for rotating the reaction vessel holding unit 14 based on a control signal from the unit 22 and transferring the reaction vessel 51 to a desired position, a transfer unit 197 realized using a stepping motor or the like is provided.

  Note that FIG. 2 illustrates a case where the switching unit 194 includes a switch 194 </ b> S provided on a one-to-one basis with the sound wave generation unit 195. In the following description, the case where the switching unit 194 is configured by the switch 194S will be mainly described, but the configuration of the switching unit 194 is not limited to such a case.

  The signal transmission unit 191 is realized using a slip ring, and includes a fixed unit 191a and a rotating unit 191b. The rotation axis of the rotating unit 191b coincides with the vertical center axis of the reaction vessel holding unit 14, and the operation of the transfer unit 197 causes the interlocking unit 19C of the stirring mechanism 19 (reaction vessel holding unit 14, drive control unit 192, stirring drive). Unit 193, switching unit 194, and sound wave generation unit 195). In FIG. 3, the interlocking portion 19 </ b> C is surrounded by a one-dot chain line and displayed. By using such a signal transmission unit 191, it is possible to constantly transmit the power signal and the control signal to the stirring mechanism 19.

  By the way, in the case shown in FIG. 2, the two lead wires connected to the power supply unit 26 are for power supply, and the two lead wires connected to the device control unit 22 are for control signal transmission by serial communication. (One for each ground wire). Therefore, in the case shown in FIG. 2, the number of poles of the slip ring may be at least four.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing a detailed configuration of the reaction container holding unit 14 that is also a part of the stirring mechanism 19. The reaction container holding unit 14 shown in the figure is provided with 36 positions for holding the reaction container 51 along the circumferential direction of a circle which is one closed curve. Hereinafter, a number of 1 to 36 is fixedly assigned to this position, and when referring to a specific position, it is expressed as “position 10” or the like. In the state shown in FIG. 4, position 36 in the sample dispensing position P ₁ is, position 13 in the reagent dispensing position P ₂ is, in the reagent dispensing position P ₃ at rest position 20, respectively.

The reaction container holding unit 14 dispenses the sample or reagent at each dispensing position, and then rotates clockwise in FIG. 4 by (one turn + 1 position) by the transfer unit 197, and proceeds to the next operation. At that time, the reaction container 51 into which the specimen or reagent is dispensed at each dispensing position is subjected to a stirring operation at the stationary position after rotation (hereinafter, the position where the reaction container 51 is stationary and subjected to the stirring operation is stirred). Called location). That is, the reaction container 51 that has received the sample at the sample dispensing position P ₁ reaches the stirring position M ₁ by rotation, and the liquid inside is stirred. Further, in the reaction container 51 that has received the reagent dispensing at the reagent dispensing positions P ₂ and P ₃ , the liquid contained therein is stirred at the stirring positions M ₂ and M ₃ , respectively. The timing at which stirring is started at the _three stirring positions M _{1 to} M ₃ is the same.

In the case shown in FIG. 4, the number of reaction vessels 51 held between adjacent stirring positions is 11 between the stirring positions M _{1 and} M ₂ , 7 between the stirring positions M _{2 and} M ₃ , and the stirring position M. during ₃ -M ₁ is 15. In this case, in order to perform stirring at the three stirring positions by driving different stirring driving units 193, it is necessary to divide the 36 positions into at least three groups.

  The grouping at this time will be described. In the first embodiment, the reaction vessels 51 belonging to the same group are sequentially arranged at positions adjacent to each other along the circumference that is one closed curve, and between the reaction vessels 51. It is assumed that reaction vessels 51 belonging to other groups are not arranged. When performing grouping, pay attention to the minimum value of the number of reaction vessels 51 held between adjacent stirring positions, and use the minimum value of the number of elements in one group (minimum value + 1). The following. In this way, the two reaction vessels 51 belonging to the same group are not simultaneously stirred across the two stirring positions. Furthermore, if the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the number of elements in each group is set to 0 or 1, the variation in the number of elements in each group is small and the most uniform state can be realized.

From the above consideration, in the reaction container holding unit 14 shown in FIG. 4, 36 positions are divided into five groups, and combinations of the numbers of elements of these five groups are (8, 7, 7, 7, 7). It turns out that it is optimal. Figure 5 shows an example of such a grouping, specifically, positions 1-8 groups G _1, group G ₂ positions 9-15, positions 16 to 22 of the group G _3, positions 23 to 29 shows a group G ₄ and positions 30 to 36 are a group G ₅ . By performing such grouping, the reaction vessels 51 held at the positions belonging to the same group after the reaction vessel holding portion 14 rotate do not stop at a plurality of stirring positions, and within the same group. There is always only one reaction vessel 51 that receives the stirring operation.

In the case shown in FIG. 5, the stirring is performed at the same timing in the groups G ₁ , G ₂ , and G ₃ , while the stirring is not performed in the groups G ₄ and G ₅ . In such a situation, a drive signal is sent from the stirring drive units 193 belonging to the groups G _{1 to} G ₃ and a drive signal is not sent from the stirring drive units 193 belonging to the groups G ₄ and G _5. It is realized by doing.

  As described above, when there is a restriction due to the sample dispensing position or the reagent dispensing position, grouping is performed by paying attention to the minimum value of the reaction vessel 51 held between adjacent stirring positions. It is possible to prevent a plurality of reaction vessels 51 from standing still at the stirring position in the same group. As a result, the number of stirring drive units 193 operating at the same timing is minimized while there are limitations on the dispensing position and the rotation angle immediately after dispensing of the reaction container holding unit 14 (five in the case of FIG. 5). It becomes possible to reduce the cost.

  The number of positions (36) of the reaction container holding part 14 described so far, the number of stirring positions (3), and the rotation angle (one turn + 1 position) of the reaction container holding part 14 after dispensing are merely examples. Of course, even if they are other values, the optimum grouping can be performed by the same discussion as above.

  Next, the stirring drive unit 193 will be described. The agitation drive unit 193 includes an oscillation circuit and an amplification circuit, and based on a control signal sent from the drive control unit 192, a drive signal to the sound wave generation unit 195 connected via the switch 194S in the closed state. Apply. This drive signal is an AC signal having a relatively high frequency of about several tens of MHz (megahertz) to several hundreds of MHz. In such a high-frequency circuit in which an AC signal having a relatively high frequency is transmitted, the signal transmission efficiency is lowered according to the difference in characteristic impedance for each part constituting the circuit. In order to avoid such a problem, the characteristic impedance of the transmission line from the stirring drive unit 193 to the sound wave generator 195 and the impedance of the load in the sound wave generator 195 are matched in advance (for example, matched to a constant value of 50Ω).

  It is known that impedance mismatch becomes more apparent as the transmission line becomes longer. In this sense, it is more preferable that the transmission lines connecting the stirring drive unit 193 and the switch 194S and the switch 194S and the sound wave generation unit 195 are arranged to be as short as possible.

  FIG. 6 is a diagram showing a configuration of a sound wave generator 195 that is a stirring means. Moreover, FIG. 7 is an arrow view (side view) of the arrow A direction of FIG. The sound wave generator 195 shown in these drawings is an electrode provided on a surface of a substrate 195a made of a piezoelectric body and a vibrator 195b made of a pair of comb electrodes (IDT: Inter Digital Transducers) and the reaction vessel holding part 14. A terminal 195c that can contact an electrode (not shown) connected to the switch 194S and receives a drive signal applied to the vibrator 195b from the stirring drive unit 193, and the vibrator 195b and the terminal 195c are electrically connected. And a conductive wire 195d that is integrally attached to a side wall 51a in which a photometric window 51b of the reaction vessel 51 is provided. 6 and 7, the sound wave generator 195 is disposed above the window 51b so as to avoid the photometric window 51b provided below the side wall 51a. Between the substrate 195a of the sound wave generator 195 and the side wall 51a of the reaction vessel 51, an acoustic matching layer 61 is interposed for matching the acoustic impedance of the two.

  As the piezoelectric body forming the substrate 195a, a piezoelectric single crystal, a piezoelectric thin film formed on the single crystal, or the like can be used. As the acoustic matching layer 61, epoxy resin, shellac, gel, or the like can be applied. Note that a piezoelectric vibrator such as lead zirconate titanate (PZT) may be used instead of the comb-shaped electrode as the vibrator 195b.

  Since the sound wave generator 195 having the above configuration is provided integrally with the reaction vessel 51 via the thin acoustic matching layer 61, the distance from the vibrator 195b to the liquid in the reaction vessel 51 is short. Thereby, it is possible to suppress the energy required for stirring from being attenuated before reaching the liquid to be stirred. In addition, since the sound wave generator 195 is integrated with the reaction vessel 51, it is not necessary to provide a bathtub for storing constant temperature water, which is suitable for reducing the size of the analyzer 1.

  Note that the attachment position of the sound wave generator 195 to the reaction vessel 51 is not limited to the above-described side wall 51a, and for example, it is integrally attached to the bottom surface of the reaction vessel 51 or the side surface where the photometric window 51b is not provided. However, the same effect as described above can be obtained.

  Next, an outline of the operation in the analyzer 1 will be described. When an analysis request is input from the outside of the analyzer 1 (user or host computer) via the input unit 23, the apparatus control unit 22 determines the sample to be tested and the analysis item in accordance with the input analysis request. Information such as order is assigned to a table stored in the storage unit 25. In this table, analysis parameters relating to the type of reagent necessary for analysis, the amount dispensed, the wavelength for photometry, the stirring conditions, and the like are recorded in advance for each analysis item. The device control unit 22 refers to the table, reads the analysis parameter related to the stirring condition from the storage unit 25, and sends the read analysis parameter to the stirring mechanism 19 as a control signal.

The analysis parameters sent to the stirring mechanism 19 relate to the presence / absence of driving, the driving frequency, the driving amplitude, the driving time, the modulation conditions when modulating the driving frequency or the driving amplitude, etc. This is none other than the driving conditions of the generator 195. Hereinafter, an example of setting the stirring conditions will be described.
(1) About the inspection item which dispenses only the 1st reagent and does not dispense the 2nd reagent, it sets so that stirring after the 2nd reagent dispensing may not be performed.
(2) When stirring a liquid having a high viscosity or a liquid having a high surface tension, the drive amplitude of the vibrator 195b is increased or the drive time of the vibrator 195b is increased.
(3) When stirring a liquid with a small amount of liquid or a liquid that is easily affected by a temperature change, the drive amplitude of the vibrator 195b is reduced and the drive time of the vibrator 195b is shortened.
(4) When agitation is performed in consideration of various conditions such as the amount and viscosity of the liquid to be agitated, the modulation condition for modulating the drive frequency or the drive amplitude is set to an optimum value.

  The stirring operation is often performed after dispensing the sample by the sample dispensing unit 15 and after dispensing the reagent by the reagent dispensing units 16a and 16b. Normally, analysis is performed in a state where various analysis items are confused in the analysis apparatus 1, and therefore, the stirring conditions defined by the analysis parameters, that is, the driving conditions of the sound wave generator 195 are almost random. Therefore, in order to drive the sound wave generation unit 195 corresponding to various stirring conditions, it is preferable that the respective stirring driving units 193 can operate independently from each other.

  When the agitation drive unit 193 applies a drive signal to the sound wave generation unit 195, drive control is performed such that only one switch 194S is always closed among the plurality of switches 194S constituting the single switching unit 194. Is called. FIG. 8 shows a configuration from the agitation drive unit 193 to the reaction vessel 51 when two switches 194S are connected in parallel to one agitation drive unit 193 to show a specific example of this drive control. It is a block diagram. In the figure, in order to distinguish the two switches 194S for convenience, the reference numerals of the two switches are switches 194Sa and 194Sb.

  FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the change over time of the open / closed states of the switches 194Sa and 194Sb. The waveform Sa shows the open / closed state of the switch 194Sa, and the waveform Sb shows the open / closed state of the switch 194Sb. In the case shown in FIG. 9, the switches 194Sa and 194Sb are alternately closed in a short time and at equal intervals to be in the ON state.

  More generally, that is, even when n (n is a positive integer) switches 194S are connected in parallel to one agitation drive unit 193, the switches are sequentially closed so that the timing of closing the switches does not overlap. It is sufficient to perform such control. At this time, the closing times of the switches 194S are not necessarily equal. As such a switch 194S, a high frequency relay or a high frequency semiconductor switch can be applied.

  As described above, the comparison is made by performing control so that only one switch 194S is closed and turned on among the plurality of switches 194S connected in parallel to one stirring drive unit 193. The impedance matching state of the high-frequency circuit that transmits a drive signal having a relatively high frequency is maintained, and a decrease in drive signal transmission efficiency can be suppressed.

Here, the stirring operation by the sound wave or the ultrasonic wave generated by the sound wave generator 195 will be described. In the sound wave generator 195 to which the corresponding switch 194S is closed and the drive signal sent from the stirring drive unit 193 is applied, the vibrator 195b vibrates by the drive signal and the substrate 195a is excited. In the excited substrate 195a, vibration energy is concentrated on the surface, and a surface acoustic wave (SAW) that propagates along the surface is generated. Since the reaction container 51 is matched in acoustic impedance with the vibrator 195b, the surface acoustic wave propagating on the surface of the substrate 195a is a longitudinal wave into the liquid L in the reaction container 51 with little energy loss. As leaks. As a result, as shown in FIG. 10 (corresponding to a cross-sectional view taken along the line BB in FIG. 7) schematically showing the state at the time of liquid agitation, the liquid L turns inside the liquid-liquid interface (upward) to rise the flow F _a continue to the flow F _b which descends to pivot on the bottom (lower side) of the reaction vessel 51 is caused, the liquid L is agitated by these streams.

  Since this stirring operation is independent of the rotation of the reaction container holding unit 14 by the transfer unit 197, for example, the corresponding sound wave generation unit 195 is driven while the reaction container holding unit 14 is rotating to perform stirring. You can also. Therefore, the analysis time can be shortened and efficient analysis can be realized as compared with the conventional case where only the reaction vessel that is stationary at a predetermined stirring position is stirred.

  When the liquid L shown in FIG. 10 is a mixed solution of a specimen and a reagent, the mixed solution in the reaction vessel 51 whose reaction has been promoted by the stirring operation described above passes through the photometric unit 17 by the rotation of the reaction vessel holding unit 14. Is irradiated with predetermined light, and the intensity of light passing through the mixture is measured. After that, the control analysis mechanism 21 that has received the measurement result from the photometry unit 17 reads the analysis information of the sample that is the measurement target from the storage unit 25 by the device control unit 22 and performs an analysis operation on the measurement result. In this analytical calculation, the absorbance of the reaction solution is calculated based on the measurement result sent from the photometry unit 17, and in addition to this calculation result, a calibration curve or an analysis parameter obtained from a standard sample is used, whereby the reaction solution is obtained. Quantitatively determine the concentration of the component. The obtained analysis result is output from the output unit 24 and stored and stored in the storage unit 25.

  According to the first embodiment of the present invention described above, the reaction vessel holding unit that holds the plurality of reaction vessels, and the stirring of the liquid that is provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reaction vessels and is accommodated in each reaction vessel. A plurality of sound wave generating units, a plurality of switching units for establishing electrical connections with the sound wave generating units to be driven in each group when the plurality of sound wave generating units are divided into a plurality of groups, A plurality of agitation driving units that are connected to each of the plurality of switching units and drive the sound wave generating unit connected through each of the switching units, and a control unit that controls the plurality of agitation driving units (apparatus control unit and drive control) And at least a transfer part for transferring the reaction vessel holding, the restriction on the timing of stirring the liquid in the reaction vessel during analysis can be reduced. Energy required It is possible to provide a superior analyzer ghee transmission efficiency.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, while there is a restriction on the agitation position, by performing optimal grouping so that there are not a plurality of reaction vessels that are simultaneously agitated and driven by one agitation drive unit, It is possible to reduce the number of driving units as much as possible and reduce the cost.

  Furthermore, according to the first embodiment, since the opening / closing operation of the switch and the rotation operation of the reaction container holding unit are controlled independently, the stirring time can be increased in one sequence or the timing of stirring can be flexibly adjusted. Can be held. Therefore, the load applied to the analyzer can be distributed to improve the durability and operational stability of the apparatus, and an efficient and economical analysis can be realized.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, unlike the analyzer disclosed in Patent Document 1, a water tank for storing constant temperature water is unnecessary, so that the configuration of the device is simple and maintenance is easy. It is also suitable for downsizing.

  In addition, according to the first embodiment, each reaction vessel is provided with a sound wave generation unit (an example of a stirring means), and by grouping the reaction vessels, switches and wirings can be reduced, thereby reducing costs. Space saving can be realized. For example, to arbitrarily connect three agitation drive units and 36 sound wave generation units, 108 (= 3 × 36) switches and wirings are required, respectively. On the other hand, when there are three groups of twelve sound wave generators, the number of switches and wires is 36, and the number is one third of the number of switches and wires (108) when not grouped. Just do it.

  Furthermore, by grouping as described above, one group can be made into one module, so if one switch fails, just replace one module instead of replacing everything. There is also an effect that it can be completed.

  In addition, in the first embodiment, since a group is constituted by the sound wave generation unit corresponding to the reaction vessel and the stirring drive unit that drives the sound wave generation unit, when one stirring drive unit fails, The analysis using the reaction vessel in the group to which the failed stirring drive unit belongs cannot be performed, but the analysis can be continued using the remaining group.

(Embodiment 2)
The analyzer according to the second embodiment of the present invention is characterized by having a configuration that minimizes the stirring drive unit when only the number of stirring positions is determined in advance. In the second embodiment, the configuration and operation of the analyzer other than the stirring position on the reaction vessel holding unit and the way of dividing each group are the same as those in the first embodiment. For this reason, about the site | part which is not changed, the same code | symbol as used in the said Embodiment 1 is attached | subjected and demonstrated.

  In the case of Embodiment 2, only the number of stirring positions is determined in advance, and there is no restriction on the stirring position, so the interval between adjacent stirring positions (the number of reaction vessels held between two stirring positions + 1) Can be made as even as possible. As an example, let us consider a case where the number of positions is 36 and the number of stirring positions is 3, as in the first embodiment. In this case, the number of positions 36 is divisible by the number 3 of stirring positions and the quotient is 12. Therefore, if the interval between adjacent stirring positions is set to 12, the number of groups can be minimized.

FIG. 11 shows an example of grouping of the reaction container holding units 71 included in the analyzer according to the second embodiment, which are adjacent to each other among the three stirring positions M ₁₁ , M ₁₂ , and M _13. The stirring positions are all separated by 12 positions. The three groups G ₁₁ (positions 1 to 12), the group G ₁₂ (positions 13 to 24), and the group G ₁₃ (positions 25 to 36) all have 12 elements (number of elements).

  Next, a case where the number of positions is 36 and the number of stirring positions is 5 will be described. In this case, the minimum number of groups in which the reaction vessels 51 belonging to the same group are not simultaneously stirred is five. Therefore, 36 positions can be divided into 5 groups, but dividing 36 by 5 gives a quotient of 7 and a remainder of 1, so that the elements of all groups are as in the case of 3 stirring positions. The numbers cannot be the same. Therefore, it is divided so that the number of elements is as uniform as possible. Specifically, the number of elements of four groups among the five groups is set to 7 so that the absolute value of the difference between the maximum value and the minimum value of the number of elements constituting each group is at most 1. The number of elements in each group is 8.

  As an example of the case where there are five stirring positions as described above, a case where the stirring mechanism is applied to the cleaning unit 18 can be cited. In this case, in addition to the above-described three stirring operations (after sample dispensing and after two reagent dispensings) for one reaction vessel 51, the stirring operation after the detergent is added in the cleaning unit 18 , And a total of five agitation operations are performed in the rinsing operation after the liquid containing the cleaning liquid is drained. Therefore, in the analyzer according to the second embodiment, it is more preferable that at least five stirring drive units 193 that operate independently from each other are provided.

  The discussion so far is easily generalized. That is, when n (≦ N) stirring positions are set for the reaction container holding unit 14 with N positions, the quotient when N is divided by n is set to M, and the remainder is set to m. The most even grouping is realized by “the total number of groups is n, of which (n−m) number of elements is M and m number of elements is M + 1”. Here, N, n, and M are positive integers, and m is 0 or a positive integer. It is also obvious that N ≧ M, N> m, and n> m due to the general nature of division and N ≧ n.

  According to the second embodiment of the present invention described above, as in the first embodiment of the present invention described above, it is possible to reduce the restriction on the timing of stirring the liquid in the reaction vessel during the analysis. It is possible to provide an analyzer that is excellent in transmission efficiency of required energy.

  Further, according to the second embodiment, it is possible to further reduce the cost by performing the grouping so that the number of the agitation driving units is minimized according to the number of the agitation positions.

(Other embodiments)
The best mode for carrying out the present invention has been described in detail as the first and second embodiments, but the present invention should not be limited only by these two embodiments.

For example, the configuration of the reaction vessel holding unit is not limited to the configuration in which the positions for holding the reaction vessel are arranged on one concentric circle as described above. FIG. 12 is a diagram illustrating another configuration example of the reaction container holding unit. In the reaction container holding portion 81 shown in the figure, the reaction containers 52 belonging to the same group are successively held along a closed curve C having a shape like the outer edge of a ventilation fan. At the center of the reaction vessel holding unit 81, four drive circuit units 82 having the functions of the stirring drive unit 193 and the switching unit 194 are provided. Nine sound wave generation units (not shown) integrally attached to the reaction vessel 52 are connected to each drive circuit unit 82. That is, FIG. 12 shows a case where the number of positions is 36 and is divided into four groups G ₂₁ , G ₂₂ , G ₂₃ , G ₂₄ each consisting of nine elements. An example suitable for setting is shown.

FIG. 13 is a diagram showing still another configuration example of the reaction container holding unit. The reaction container holding part 91 shown in the figure has a structure in which the reaction container 53 is transferred counterclockwise on the two parallel rails R in the drawing. The reaction vessel holding unit 91, 42 reaction vessels 53 holds the seven groups of these reaction vessels 53 from the elements of each six G _31, G _32, · · ·, divided into G ₃₇ In addition, a drive circuit unit 92 having a part of functions of the stirring drive unit 193, the switching unit 194, and the transfer unit 197 is provided at the head of each group. A drive signal for driving a sound wave generator (not shown) is transmitted to the reaction vessel 53 following the head portion via a drive signal carrier line 93. The drive signal carrier line 93 also has a function of connecting the reaction vessels 53 of each group. In this example, a power signal from a power supply unit (not shown) is constantly supplied to the drive circuit unit 92 via the rail R. The control signal may be transmitted to the drive circuit unit 92 by radio, for example.

  In the description so far, the case where the stirring unit includes the sound wave generation unit has been described. However, the stirring unit may be configured differently. For example, magnetic fine particles may be placed in the reaction vessel in advance, an electromagnet may be disposed near the bottom or side surface of each reaction vessel, and stirring may be performed by applying an appropriate magnetic field to the magnetic fine particles. The liquid inside the reaction vessel may be agitated by arranging vibration means that vibrates electrically with respect to the reaction vessel and applying appropriate vibration to each reaction vessel.

  The analyzer according to the present invention is not limited to the one having the configuration as shown in FIG. That is, the agitation mechanism described above can be applied to various types of analyzers known in the art.

  As is clear from the above description, the present invention can include various embodiments and the like not described herein, and within the scope not departing from the technical idea specified by the claims. Various design changes and the like can be made.

It is a figure which shows the structure of the principal part of the analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention. It is a figure which shows the physical structure of the stirring mechanism with which the analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure of the stirring mechanism with which the analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 1 of this invention is provided. It is a figure which shows the structure of the reaction container holding | maintenance part. It is a figure which shows the example of grouping of the reaction container holding | maintenance part shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the structure of a reaction container and a sound wave generation part. It is a figure which shows the structure of a sound wave generation part. It is a block diagram which shows the function structure at the time of connecting two switches in parallel with respect to one stirring drive part. It is a figure which shows the open / close state of a switch at the time of connecting two switches in parallel. It is explanatory drawing which shows stirring operation typically. It is a figure which shows the structure of the reaction container holding part with which the analyzer which concerns on Embodiment 2 of this invention is provided. It is a figure which shows another structure of the reaction container holding | maintenance part. It is a figure which shows another structure of the reaction container holding | maintenance part.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Analyzer 11 Measurement mechanism 12 Sample transfer part 13a, 13b Reagent container holding part 14, 71, 81, 91 Reaction container holding part 15 Sample dispensing part 16a, 16b Reagent dispensing part 17 Photometry part 18 Washing part 19 Stirring mechanism 19C Interlocking section 21 Control analysis mechanism 22 Apparatus control section 23 Input section 24 Output section 25 Storage section 26, 196 Power supply section 31 Sample container 32 Rack 41 Reagent container 51, 52, 53 Reaction container 51a Side wall 51b Window section 61 Acoustic matching layer 82, 92 drive circuit unit 93 drive signal carrier line 191 signal transmission unit 191a fixed unit 191b rotation unit 192 drive control unit 193 agitation drive unit 194 switching unit 194S, 194Sa, 194Sb switch 195 sound wave generation unit 195a substrate 195b transducer 195c terminal 195c terminal 195c Transfer section C Closed curve G ₁ , G _{2 , ···, G 5, G 11} , G 12, G 13, G 21, G 22, G 23, G 24, G 31, G 32, ···, G 37 group M _1, M _2, M ₃ , M ₁₁ , M ₁₂ , M ₁₃ stirring position P ₁ sample dispensing position P ₂ , P ₃ reagent dispensing position R rail

Claims (16)

An analyzer for analyzing components of a liquid respectively contained in a plurality of reaction containers,
Reaction vessel holding means for holding the plurality of reaction vessels;
A plurality of stirring means provided corresponding to each of the plurality of reaction vessels, for stirring the liquid contained in each reaction vessel;
A plurality of switching means each establishing electrical connection with the stirring means to be driven in each group when the plurality of stirring means are divided into a plurality of groups;
A plurality of stirring drive means connected to each of the plurality of switching means and driving the stirring means connected via each switching means;
Control means for controlling the plurality of stirring drive means;
Transfer means for transferring at least the reaction vessel holding means;
An analyzer characterized by comprising:   The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the reaction container holding unit holds the opening surfaces of the plurality of reaction containers side by side along one closed curve.   The analyzer according to claim 2, wherein the plurality of reaction vessels corresponding to each of the plurality of stirring units belonging to the same group among the plurality of groups are continuously arranged along the closed curve. . On the closed curve, a plurality of stirring positions for stirring the liquid are determined,
The number of the stirring means belonging to one group among the plurality of stirring means is equal to or less than the minimum value +1 of the number of the reaction vessels held between the stirring positions adjacent to each other along the closed curve. The analyzer according to claim 3.   The plurality of stirring drive means are provided corresponding to a reaction vessel that is stationary at any of the plurality of stirring positions or a reaction container that is transferred to reach any of the plurality of stirring positions. The analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the analyzer is driven.   5. The analyzer according to claim 4, wherein the number of the plurality of groups is equal to the number of the stirring positions.   The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein an absolute value of a difference between a maximum value and a minimum value of the number of elements constituting each of the plurality of groups is 0 or 1.   The analysis apparatus according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the stirring means belonging to the same group among the plurality of groups are connected in parallel to the switching means belonging to the group.   The switching means electrically connects any one of the plurality of stirring means connected in parallel to the switching means and the stirring drive means connected to the switching means. The analyzer according to claim 8.   The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the plurality of stirring drive units drive one of the plurality of stirring units based on mutually independent driving conditions.   The driving condition includes at least one of presence / absence of driving, driving frequency, driving amplitude, driving time, and modulation condition when modulating the driving frequency or driving amplitude. Analysis equipment.   The analyzer according to claim 10 or 11, wherein the number of the agitation driving means is equal to or greater than the number of the agitation means that are driven simultaneously among the plurality of agitation means.   The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the switching means and / or the stirring driving means are transferred in conjunction with the reaction container holding means by the transfer means.   The analyzer according to claim 1, wherein the stirring unit includes a sound wave generating unit that generates a sound wave or an ultrasonic wave.   The analyzer according to claim 14, wherein the sound wave generating means is formed integrally with the reaction container.   16. The analyzer according to claim 14, wherein the sound wave generating means has a pair of or more comb electrodes.

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